PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION: BSc/MSci Biological Sciences
Applies to Cohort Commencing 2015
1. Awarding institution
The Royal Veterinary College
2. Teaching institution
The Royal Veterinary College (University of
London)
3. Programme accredited by
N/A
4. Final award
Bachelor of Science / Master of Science
5. Programme Title
Biological Sciences
6. Date of First Intake
2014 for BSc Biological Sciences
2015 for MSci Biological Sciences
7. Frequency of Intake
Annually in September
8. Duration and Mode(s) of Study
Three or four years full-time
9. Timing of Examination Board meetings
Annually in July
10. Date of Last Periodic Review
N/A
11. Date of Next Periodic Review
2019/20
12. Entry Requirements
Academic requirements
(http://www.rvc.ac.uk/Undergraduate/BScBiove
tSci/EntranceReq.cfm)
Three A2 subjects including Chemistry or
Biology/Human Biology. General studies is not
accepted as a third subject.
Where an applicant is taking Biology/Human
Biology/Chemistry AND another science
subject (Human Biology, Biology, Chemistry,
Physics or Maths), they will receive an offer of
BBB.
Where an applicant is taking Human
Biology/Biology/Chemistry and two other nonscience subjects, they will receive an offer of
ABB including an A in the science subject they
are taking.
Other courses that will be accepted
include:
 Access to HE Diploma.
 BTEC National Diploma in
Animal Management.
 Cambridge Pre-U.
 International Baccalaureate.
 Scottish Qualifications.
 Welsh Baccalaureate.
 Irish Leaving Certificate.
 UCL University Preparatory
certificate for Science &
Engineering (UPCSE) for
International Students.
And
GCSEs at grade B in English, Mathematics (if
not studied at A-Level) and Double Science (or
in two individual science subjects, if taken
1
separately)
Progression to Year 4
To be considered for progression to Year 4,
applicants must have achieved an aggregate
Year 2 mark of at least 60% or an aggregate
Year 2 mark of at least 55% with at least 62%
in the project report, and at least 55% in Year 3
of the BSc Biological Sciences.
13. UCAS code
C100, C102
14. JACS Code
C000
15. Relevant QAA subject benchmark
group(s)
Biosciences
16. Reference points
Report of the Committee of Enquiry into Veterinary Research (the Selborne Report)
Quality Assurance Agency, The framework for higher education qualifications in England, Wales
and Northern Ireland
Regulations of the University of London
Future Fit, CBI 2009
Degree Accreditation Criteria, Society of Biology
SEEC Level Descriptors for Higher Education, SEEC, 2010
17. Educational aims of programme
BSc Biological Sciences

To offer a high quality course, in which students are challenged by, and stimulated to
challenge, accepted wisdom in all fields of biological sciences.
 To prepare graduates for careers in academic and industrial research, biotechnology and the
pharmaceutical industry in general, and in other biological, veterinary and medicine-related
industries.
MSci Biological Sciences


To offer a high quality course incorporating extensive research experience, in which students
are challenged by, and stimulated to challenge, accepted wisdom in all fields of biological
science;
To prepare graduates for a PhD or careers in academic and industrial research,
biotechnology and the pharmaceutical industry in general, and in other veterinary and
medicine-related industries

To offer a high quality preparation for students aspiring to graduate entry to Veterinary
Medicine, Medicine or Dentistry.
The specific aims of the MSci Year are to enable students to:
 gain research experience within the biological sciences that is relevant to their degree
 gain a deep and systematic understanding of current questions, problems and methods
employed within the selected specialised research topic
 implement principles of project and experimental design and carefully execute, record
and clearly disseminate research
 Use self-reflection to improve levels of knowledge, professionalism, personal skills and
research skills
 Develop a sound appreciation of the research environment in which the student is
working and their role within it
18. Programme outcomes - the programme offers opportunities for students to achieve
and demonstrate the following learning outcomes.
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At the time of graduation students should, to a standard appropriate for a new bachelor of science
graduate, be able to:
A. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
1. Specialised terminology which underpins an individual discipline or subject area.
2. Cognate sciences.
3. The political, social and economic context of the applications of science.
B. Display the following cognitive (thinking) skills:
The ability to:
1. Access information and skills as required by a task
2. Make methodical observations on the normal and abnormal functioning of biological systems
3. Discriminate between important and relatively unimportant information and observations
4. Reflect on information and observations, and solve problems
5. Discuss uncertainty in relation to scientific “facts”, and balance different schools of thought.
C. Display the following practical skills including the ability to:
1. Design and execute experiments, and to analyse and interpret the resultant data.
2. Present conclusions in a variety of formats.
D. The following are considered to be Key skills:
1. Communication.
2. Teamwork.
3. Personal management and career development.
4. Effective learning.
5. Problem-solving.
6. Information technology.
7. Numeracy.
8. Acting with integrity, being honest, fair and compassionate in all your work.
9. Maintaining high ethical principles in relation to business dealings, the use of information and
experimentation in man and animals.
At the time of graduation students should, to a standard appropriate for a new master in
science graduate, be able to:
A. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
1. Specialised terminology which underpins an individual discipline or subject area.
2. Cognate sciences.
3. The political, social and economic context of the applications of science.
B. Display the following cognitive (thinking) skills:
The ability to:
1. Access information and skills as required by a task
2. Make methodical observations on the normal and abnormal functioning of biological systems
3. Discriminate between important and relatively unimportant information and observations
4. Reflect on information and observations, and solve problems
5. Discuss uncertainty in relation to scientific “facts”, and balance different schools of thought.
C. Display the following practical skills including the ability to:
1. Design and execute experiments, and to analyse and interpret the resultant data.
2. Present conclusions in a variety of formats.
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D. The following are considered to be Key skills:
1. Communication.
2. Teamwork.
3. Personal management and career development.
4. Effective learning.
5. Problem-solving.
6. Information technology.
7. Numeracy.
8. Acting with integrity, being honest, fair and compassionate in all your work.
9. Maintaining high ethical principles in relation to business dealings, the use of information and
experimentation in man and animals.
E. Demonstrate the following advanced skills:
1. Clearly communicate their project aims, background, results, relevance and own proposals for
future research, demonstrating critical analysis and a deep and systematic knowledge and
understanding of the literature
2. Clearly and properly record their research
3. Demonstrate excellent professional conduct
4. Identify specific areas for personal and skill development
Teaching/learning methods
Students develop their knowledge and understanding through attendance at lectures, seminars,
workshops, tutorials and through a variety of directed and self-directed learning activities,
including practical exercises. They will learn cognitive skills through problem solving, case studies,
reflection and role modelling. Practical skills will be learned through demonstration, observation,
prosecution, feedback, role modelling and experimentation. Finally, Key Skills will be taught
through group work and exercises, structured learning, practical work, reflection, presentations
(oral and written) and problem-solving exercises.
During Year 4, the MSci Research year, an extended project is carried out under the supervision
of a Supervisor. Training will be given to the student as appropriate by the supervisor and other
work colleagues, with regular meetings with the supervisor.
Assessment
A. Knowledge and understanding:
Students will be assessed through a combination of formative, in-course and summative
examinations, using a range of question formats.
B. Cognitive (thinking) skills:
Cognitive skills will be assessed through appropriately structured written examinations, together
with project reports and discussion of poster presentations.
C. Practical skills:
Practical skills will be assessed using structured tasks and laboratory-based projects.
D. Key Skills:
Through key skills assessment criteria, alongside systems and discipline-based assessment
criteria, these skills will be assessed in a variety of ways throughout the course.
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E. Research Skills:
Research skills are assessed in all years through written and oral presentation of a literaturebased project and three experimental projects, with supervisor assessments for experimental
projects. Formative assessment of the project during Year 4 (MSci Research Year) will be via
participation in lab meetings journal clubs, supervisory meetings and tutorials; self-assessment of
skills. Summative assessment will be assessment of a Project Report and associated poster, an
oral examination and a Supervisor’s assessment. Assessment of the Research Skills module is
via a Research Proposal, with presentation at two journal clubs being required.
19. Programme structures and requirements, levels, modules, credits and awards
The Biological Sciences degree is a linear, non-modular programme in its first two years. In the
Third Year, each student follows a programme of modules and course units from those offered by
the RVC and/or other institutions.
Year One is valued at 120 credits at Level 4; Year Two, 120 credits at Level 5; Year Three, 120
credits at Level 6; Year Four, 120 credits at Level 7.
Year 1
Year 2
The core course will comprise:
 Essential Biomedical Sciences- The
Moving Animal, The Living Cell,
Inheritance; Reproduction &
Development, Basic Concept in
Immunology
 Systems & Investigative Biology
Problem Definition and Investigation
The core course will comprise:
 The Enemy Within
 The Enemy Without
 Principles of Pharmacology
 Research Project
The option of one of:
 Imaging of Disease or Applied Pharmacology
Year 3
Year 4
Hypothesis driven research project
involving data analysis and interpretation
Research Skills module (15 credits)
Optional modules at RVC and KCL
Hypothesis driven research project involving data
analysis and interpretation (105 credits)
The generic theme will continue throughout the first two years and will comprise:
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finding and using information
what makes a professional scientist?
epistemology
scientific method
statistics
data recording
basic epidemiology
experimental design
risk
analytical tools
ethics
communication skills
leadership
team building and function
business and financial management
patent law
20. Work Placement Requirements
N/A
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